Werewolf sighting in West Brighton as Spooktacular gets under way at Staten Island Zoo

Courtesy of the Staten Island ZooAlien Zoo is one of the exhibits at this year's upcoming Spooktacular at the Staten Island Zoo.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- He has journeyed 5,000 miles from his home in the shadowy forests of Transylvania, with his sights set on the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton -- his human form still intact, so he can slip through airport security, unnoticed.

But when the full moon rises next weekend over the Zoo's annual Spooktacular, stand back from his heavy-duty double reinforced cage: The only werewolf known outside of Transylvania will sprout fur all over his hulking body; his eyes will grow wild and his teeth will sharpen and drip with blood.

The mythological man-beast, who until now has only ever appeared in the pages of legends or on the silver screen, will star in Werewolf Encounters, the newest addition to the Spooktacular.

The after-hours event coming up Saturday and Sunday is set to transform the 8 1/2-acre zoo into a place of Halloween fantasy, featuring bewitching activities ranging from arts and crafts for the faint of heart, to spine-chilling exhibits designed to frighten even the strongest of characters.

"To my knowledge, it's the first time a werewolf has been brought into New York City," said Ken Mitchell, the Zoo's interim executive director. Mitchell declined to comment when presented with factual evidence that werewolves exist only in our imaginations.

"If you come to Spooktacular you'll have something to howl about. The next full moon is due. ... That's when the fur will fly."

Although a tipster has told the Advance that the werewolf may blend into society with a day job as an actor, rumors that he is, indeed, the real thing, have also begun to spread across the borough like a thick, Transylvanian fog.

An actual werewolf sighting at the Zoo could take place as early as today -- so stay tuned to silive.com and the Advance tomorrow for the latest developments in this unbelieveable story.

Tickets are still available for the Spooktacular, but they are selling briskly, Mitchell said. Visit the Zoo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to purchase advance tickets, which cost $13 for members and $16 for non members. Or call 718-815-0242 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to order.